Zoo // Louis Tomlinson

//39//

Lydia's POV

"Louis!" I shrieked, running as fast as I could away from the flying soccer ball.

"Duck babe!" He shouted after me, running past in a streak of athletic shorts and TopMan boxers as he met the ball for me. Kicking it back up into the air and letting it fall softly to the ground again, leaving it in its place as bright blue eyes turned to face me, a mischievous smile on his golden features. "You know goalies typically stay by the net, where the ball goes." Louis was quite clearly biting back a laugh, his arms crossed over his impossibly toned chest as his shirt had been ditched quite some time ago.

"I am done getting hit by your balls!" I groaned back at him, covering my mouth when his eyes widened to impossible lengths, his contagious laughter lighting up the stadium in colors that were more beautiful and breathtaking than fireworks.

"It's because I'm trying to score." Louis was keeling over, his laughs echoing across the field, as he had to prop his hands up on his knees. His eyes shut tight as I finally understood his statement, probably turning crimson as my hands went over my face and I just repeated 'oh my god I hate you.'

"Why did I have to be the goalie!" I complained, the purple Nikes seeming too large and flexible as I missed the comfort of my converse.

"My field, my rules!" Louis yelled back, his dark hair falling all across his face as he continued to run laps around the turf like an overly excited five year old.

"It's not your field!" I whined, falling onto the grass and deciding that I would not get up until he let me kick the ball at him a few times.

"Right, sorry, let me correct myself. My country, my rules." Louis shouted, his voice nearing as I scrambled to get up and run away from him. My feet a few seconds behind my brain as I kicked the uncomfortable shoes off and started running.

Wet grass flew under my feet, a burst of hysterical laughter taking over as Louis chased after me. His bright smile still fully intact as I dared a look behind me to see that even in the flash of colors whizzing past me, he was still the only one I cared about.

"Louis!" I shouted, laughter cutting off my words as a strong pair of inked arms wrapped around my waist. Picking me up off of the ground and bringing me with him as he slowed the pace down from running, to a complete stand still.

"You think you're cute don't you?" Louis' voice was coated in a thick accent, laughter shaping over his words as we stood in the middle of the stadium. His chin balanced on my shoulder as he leaned over me, floppy hair mixing with my own in the evening light.

"Why do you have to be so quick?" I complained, almost in awe of the world he lived in that became so painfully obvious in moments like these.

The stadium was lit up in a dusty glow, London's nightlife contained in our own world as I began to see just how lonely Louis' bubble could be.

"Don't you get lonely?" I wondered almost to myself, taking in the vast stadium that was only occupied by the two of us. His appearance in everyday life would cause a riot, if he even wanted to get a cup of tea he'd be asked for pictures and autographs, that wasn't a life I could do and still smile as much as he does.

"Of course I get lonely. I just don't like to dwell on it. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do, I have opportunities that people around the world would kill for and I have no right to ever feel sorry for myself. There's a family of people who love me and would talk to me at all hours of the day, there's a reason I live with Harry." Louis' voice dropped to a soft hum, his lips brushing past my neck as he finished.